Aerification Update

Well, things didn't go as planned with aerification this past Monday. Mechanical issues did not allow us to finish the front side greens. After working to get the issue solved, we will continue tomorrow, Thursday, April 15th, and finish the front 9 greens and the putting green. We have rescheduled the back 9 greens to Monday, April 19th. Thank you for your understanding thru this and we will have the greens back in great shape for the season. We look forward to seeing you at the course.

Aerification

Like so many things, the quality of a good putting green in more that skin deep. In fact, the condition of a green has a lot to do with what goes on below the surface. In order to keep grass growing at 3/16th-inch, you have to have deep, healthy roots. Good roots demand oxygen. In good soil, they get the oxygen from tiny pockets of air trapped between soil and sand particles. Over time, the traffic from golfers' feet (as well as heavy mowing equipment) tends to compact the soil which leads to the air pockets being crushed and the roots gasping for air. Aerification creates more air space in the soil and promotes deeper rooting, thus helping the grass plants stay healthy. Sand topdressing helps the soil retain air space and makes it easier for roots to grow downward. Aerification is merely a short-term disruption that has long-term benefits for the course and without those little holes, the greens would eventually die. The bottom line is that aerfication is a necessary practice. So on Monday, April 12th, the front nine will be closed and on Tuesday, April 13th, the back nine will be closed due to aerifying the greens. I appreciate everyone's understanding and patience thru these couple days.

If the weather warms up, they will come.

With the warm weather giving us a treat this week, golfers have come out in herds. We are trying our best to get everything mowed out and ready for the season. Please bear with us during the process of finishing up a few projects and teaching new employees the equipment and where to mow. I also want to remind everyone TO KEEP THEIR CARTS ON THE CART PATH WHEN AROUND GREENS AND TEES. We have made tremendous strides in improving the golf course and this is your way of helping maintain the areas around the greens and tees. If golfers see a carts parked or traveling within 10 feet of the green, then they will think they can do it, which leads to the group behind them thinking the same way and so on and so on. Next thing we have is worn grass laid over from cart damage, unsightly turf around the green, and golfers complaining about they don't have a good stand of grass around the greens to chip from. Hope everyone enjoys the warm weather and we'll see you on the course.

Ponds are finished!

Just wanted to let everyone know that #1 and #13 ponds are finished, fountains are in, and they will be in better shape this year (and for the next upcoming years). I appreciate everyones patience and for playing around us and to the temperary greens. This really helped us continue the job on an uninterrupted task. Enviornmentally safe chemicals have been applied to help keep control of algae growth. And the added bonus... you will be able to find your golf ball better in the ponds. :) Again, thank you for your understanding and patience thru this experience as we continue to get the course in shape for the upcoming season. And as always, we'll see you on the course.

#13 Pond

Well as all of you have noticed, we are working on #13 pond in cleaning it out. What is amazing is that this pond was worse then #1 pond. I appreciate everyone being patient with us during this process and playing the temperary green out in the fairway in order not to disrupt the work being done. Also, in front of #16 tee, we wil be working on extending the rock creek around to meet up with what we have on the right side of the tee. By cleaning these ponds, with our fountains and chemical treatments, it will help with algae and moss control. Again, I appreciate all of your support and patience thru this.

#1 Pond

We have been dredging the pond on #1 these past couple days and boy what a mess it has been. Hopefully we will finish it up on Friday, and fill it back up and put the fountain in it. Cleaning the pond will help us better control the algae and build up on the pond surface. We took out at least 3 feet of mud and muck. We will also be doing #13 pond next week, which that I think won't be as messy, easy clean up, etc. I do appreciate everyone playing around us these past few days. And as always, we look forward to seeing you on the course.

Etiquette and Respect

I found this today and thought it would be good to get it out so everyone could read it.
"Golf etiquette requires you to rake the sand before exiting a bunker. A sand trap or bunker should be left exactly as you found it, and the same goes for greens and fairways. Divots should always be replaced and ball marks repaired. If you respect the course, then you respect the game; and if you respect the game, chances are you'll play better, too."
I thought this was worded very well, as I have talked in numerous newsletters about golfers doing their part in helping to care for the course. Hope this finds you all doing well as I have a feeling spring is just right around the corner. We'll see you on the course.